Does this exist? I have only been through really 1.5 cycles of chemo, about 60-65 hours of it, and I swear my memory, short term is terrible. I was supposed to send a doctors note to the insurance company when I returned to work on the 16th of this month, I told her I would do it the 19th, she called me today about it, I've been to that doctor 4 times now and have forgot the damn note each time. I swear, I don't normally forget stuff like this. Once I send in the note, I'll get my last LTD check, it involves money here, and I still forgot about it.

Pretty soon, I wonder if I will have to wear a name tag!:eek:

Christy:
"Chemo Brain" is a very real phenomenon and affects people differently as does chemo. The literature dictates that the condition can disappear shortly after stopping chemo, or continuing long term. Generally it affects short term memory and cognitive functioning. You are NOT going crazy!

Take Care,
CancerDad

Hahahahahhaha! I used the "chemobrain" quite a few times! Its really handy when you've forgoten something! Just tell them its "chemo brain" works well!!

Maz ;)

yes the same with my husband, forget sthings that i have to remind him three or more times or forgotten what i said to him. i think his will be long term as it is 2 years after chemo finished and at times i think he uses the chemo brain as a excuse.

good luck

ditto on the 'chemobrain' problem. I think it is a combination of things,
- the effect of dehydration and electrolyte loss
- the effect of emotional stress
- a direct effect on the brain from the chemo drugs themsleves.

Then again I always was somewhat absent-minded.

Hmm...I was going to post a very smart response...but I can't remember what I was going to say... ha ha... Seriously, though, I have had MAJOR chemo brain moments. Whether there is a true medical reason or if it is just a stress/emotional response I don't know. I just know that I am the queen of space these days. I'll let you know if I improve now that I am DONE my chemo!

Good luck to you Christy. I hope the 5FU alone works well for you. I have found that aloxy injections and then Reglan post chemo worked for me. Everyone is different, though. Good luck!

Cats

Cats,

I did just a bolus of 5FU this week, they toughened the dosage but they mixed it with saline so that I wouldn't have a risk for a reaction like last time. I did have some reactive side affects, but not as bad as last time. I am on dexamethasone all the time now and I could live without that stuff personally. They found a mass on my left ovary, they're not sure what the etiology, the one on the right has disappeared, but I am in early ovarian failure because of chemo already, no cycle this month. :mad:

Just wanted to say hey, I am back at work now so not on the boards as much.

Great to hear your good news too!

Christy,

I am glad that this is at least somewhat better for you. I hope it continues to go well. I can't imagine working while on chemo! Try to get the rest you need when you can.

Fingers crossed that this goes well for you. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Take care,
Cats

-Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Enjoying my two weeks of before I'm back in for reversal surgery. -

Ahem, chemo brain, thanks goodnes for that! Yes its real, but milk it for all you can!!! I forget something, I say its chemo brain, wife says, not so fast... I roll over an grab my ribs and say my cancer hurts, I win. I can get my kids to come over and just about everything thanks to chemo...